Uncover Greece’s Best-Kept Secret: The Peloponnese Peninsula
Go to where olives thrive, rugged coastlines reign supreme and Mediterranean culture abounds – the Peloponnese Peninsula, a hidden gemon Greece’s southern coastline.
Like a lone mulberry leaf hanging off an already busy branch, the Peloponnese Peninsula is an often overlooked destination due to its mainland status. In truth, this landmass overflows with as many captivating marvels as any Greek isle. The region is home to ancient UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites, bubbling thermal springs, luscious olive farms and opulent oceanfront resorts.
Easy to access from Kalamata Airport or just a scenic drive away from Athens, this picturesque peninsula makes for an incredible dedicated retreat or an amazing addition to an exciting island-hopping adventure.
Let the coastline be your guide as you uncover the secrets of Greece’s past and discover why the Peloponnese Peninsula should be top of your Greece itinerary.
Immerse yourself in ancient history with a trip around the Peloponnese’s various archaeological sites, mammoth-sized castles, and Byzantine churches. Drive through rugged Ilia to the impressive Temple of Apollo Epicurius dating back to the 5th century BC, examine relics from ancient medical practices at the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus, experience medieval grandeur within the hillside castle town of Mystras, and appreciate the ingenuity of the Mycenaean civilisation on a visit to the ruins of Mycenae and Tiryns. You can even visit one of the country’s most significant attractions: Olympia Archaeological Site. Originally dedicated to Zeus, it was once Greece’s most important religious and athletic centre.
Discover an archaeological wonderland
Beyond its aesthetic beauty, the Peloponnese is a culturally rich paradise, particularly for those curious as to how Greece has adapted through the centuries. Spend an afternoon wandering around Nafplio, the Victorian capital of the First Hellenic Republic, Greece’s original incarnation as a modern state. Uncover the city’s romantic charm through a collection of neoclassical buildings dotting the breathtaking coastline. To the east, sail past the isolated municipality of Monemvasia, a charming town above cliffside fortifications whose roots date back to the sixth century. Explore storied Elafonisos, known for one of the world’s most beautiful beaches with stunning pink shell-stained sands. Just off the southern coast of the peninsula, this tiny island’s history spans over 5,000 years.
See the birthplace of the Olympic Games
Grapple with the pinnacle of sports history on a trip to the place that started it all – Olympia. Located in the west amid the ‘valley of gods,’ the birthplace of the Olympic Games has become one of the most celebrated sites in all of Greece. First kicking off in 776 BC, the Games began as a tournament for Greeks to come together every four years, whether taking part or cheering from the sidelines, and to set aside differences in the name of sheer sportsmanship. Though the ancient Games ceased in 393 AD, this crumbling site continues to draw massive crowds.
Bathe in thermal springs
When you’ve had enough of touring the peninsula, wash your worries away with an invigorating soak in one of the region’s many natural water founts. Perfect for treating skin conditions and respiratory complaints, the hydrothiocorodine springs at Kyllini’s Castle in the northwest are said to be the most effective in the region. Or turn the temperature up with a visit to Methana’s baths. Naturally created by ancient rumbling volcanos, both the sulphuric and alkalic pools here have incredible healing powers.
Dine on the finest of the Mediterranean
Find some of the freshest seafood – namely octopus – and the richest olives and oil along the rough cliffs of the region. Taste piquant salads and tender lamb while overlooking the ocean in Argolid, known for its zesty crop. Then try signature sweet Malvasian wines and local produce in Laconia – the deliciousness is abundant. Perfect as an after-meal snack or afternoon pick-me-up, have a side of the country’s favourite liquor: ouzo. The Peninsula is famous for its ouzo cookies and diples (fried sheet dough with syrup, walnuts, and cinnamon) adored by locals and tourists alike.
Easily explore the rest of Greece
A stay in the Peloponnese places you in a central location from which to venture among the many other wonderful towns, incredible islands and heaving metropolises within Greece. Venture to the country’s capital on a train ride from Patras to Athens to witness the historic Acropolis and wander the Parthenon. Alternatively, jump on a ferry and tour the islands. Near the southern tip of the Peloponnese, find Kythira, the mythical birthplace of Aphrodite, or sail further to hop around the famous Cyclades, encompassing Paros, Mykonos, Serifos and Santorini, for the full Greek island experience.
Rest, relax and rejuvenate at luxurious resorts
Stay in ultimate luxury at Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino.
Take your sweet time getting to the hum of this magical region during a retreat at one of the Peninsula’s finest resorts or boutique hotels. Set in the manicured hillside of Pylos, Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino allows you to experience magnificent apricot sunsets in a luxurious setting. Adventure further down to the coastline of Loutra Kyllinis and find the expanse of Grecotel La Riviera & Aqua Park, a five-star paradise with direct access to the golden beaches of Ancient Olympia.
An absolutely exceptional experience at Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino—a true example of luxury hospitality at its finest.
From the breathtaking setting and beautiful facilities to the impeccable service, every detail of our stay was handled with genuine care and attention. What truly distinguishes this resort, however, is the extraordinary level of personalized hospitality.
A very special recognition goes to Alexia, who made our experience truly unforgettable. From the very beginning, she welcomed us with incredible warmth, professionalism, and genuine kindness. Her recommendations for culinary experiences and activities were outstanding and allowed us to discover and enjoy the very best that Costa Navarino has to offer.
Most importantly, whenever an issue or request arose, Alexia took personal care of it and addressed everything promptly, gracefully, and to absolute perfection. She has that rare ability to anticipate a guest’s needs and make everything feel effortless. Her attention to detail and sincere desire to ensure our happiness elevated our entire stay.
Alexia is an exceptional ambassador for Mandarin Oriental and a wonderful example of what true five-star hospitality should be.
Our stay at Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino exceeded our expectations, and we leave with beautiful memories and a genuine desire to return. Highly recommended to anyone looking for an extraordinary luxury experience in Greece.
Thank you to the entire Mandarin Oriental team, and especially to Alexia, for making our stay so memorable. We cannot wait to come back!
10.0
Elder B.
We had a wonderful 5 night stay at the Mandarin. From the spectacular views of Navarino Bay, to the well appointed rooms and beautiful pool, it exceeded all of our expectations. The service was also excellent—just one example was our rental car had a tire that was low on pressure and the valet guys aired it up and took care of everything. Truly one of the best experiences we’ve ever had—I’d go back in a heartbeat.
10.0
Suresh R.
My husband and I had a most wonderful experience at MO Costa Navarino – thank you so much for everything. There are so many things to highlight, but overall, we are now convinced that the hotel/property can completely change the experience of a visitor to an area. Everything from the welcome we received on arrival (even from the airport transfer itself), to the daily interactions with staff – whether restaurants, amenities (gym, spa), tours and beyond, the stay was exceptional.
We are huge fans of Mandarin Oriental and actually created our plan to visit Costa Navarino because of the hotel location. So we are so incredibly happy that it did not disappoint. We'd love to call our some individuals – Chrisa, the Guest Experience Manager and her incredibly warm welcome and check ins whenever we met, to the MO intern, Amanda who we bumped into at various locations and restaurants on the property – everyone made my husband and I feel so at home and welcomed.
And when BA messed up our return flight from Kalamata to London, MO Costa Navarino quickly arranged our transfer back to the hotel from the airport, a room for the night, and arranged a transfer by car to Athens the next day to allow us to get to London on time. We will definitely visit again but this time with family, and we'll opt to travel in and out of Athens instead even though it's further by car (about 4 hrs) of the small regional Kalamata airport (about an hour) as that would work better should there be flight issues again.
10.0
Ed S.
When you book a Mandarin Oriental, you expect at least a solid 8 out of 10. We arrived anticipating a wonderful few days, but our expectations were exceeded on almost every front.
The staff are young, warm, genuinely enthusiastic and clearly proud to work here. Their passion for what they do is infectious and creates a welcoming atmosphere from the moment you arrive.
There were several standout moments. The visiting spa therapist gave me what was, without question, the best massage of my life. The village cooking experience was the most authentic and enjoyable local cooking experience I’ve ever had. Even a simple room service lunch by the pool was beautifully prepared and delivered.
The highlight, however, was the pizza omakase. It was quite simply the best pizza I’ve ever eaten. What made the experience even more memorable was watching the chef calmly rescue the evening for a family with a very grizzly young child. He handed the little girl a ball of pizza dough to play with, her brother immediately wanted one too, and then, with great humour, baked their wonderfully misshapen creations into surprisingly decent little pizzas. It was a lovely example of genuine hospitality.
The sunsets from the lobby bar are breathtaking. Combined with exceptional cocktails and polished, attentive service, it’s the sort of place where you can happily spend an entire evening.
There are plenty of families with children, and the resort is exceptionally well suited to them. At the same time, it’s large enough that it never feels crowded, with countless quiet corners where you can find peace, privacy and space to relax.
This is a truly outstanding hotel. I’ve stayed in many luxury resorts around the world, and this is one I would return to without hesitation.
